Reading 1: Genesis 15-16

The degree of testing that Abram was given was very great. Ch.15 v. 6 tells us that he believed but that in itself, it seemed, needed testing. Ch.16 v.16 tells us that Abram was 86. With hindsight we know that there was still 13 years to go. What a test of faith - and still with so much more to come. We surely stand back in amazement at this. What position do we find ourselves in? God showed his love for Abram this way (Heb.12:6). We must not only expect chastening, but rejoice in it - Jas.1:2,3

15:17 - This vision has similarities with the burning bush Exodus 3:2,3. God speaks it seems quite often from earthquake, wind or fire, using these dramatic natural occurrences to remind us of His supremacy. In this case, maybe God was referring to the bringing out of Egypt in those years to come, as this is later described by Moses in Deut.4:20 as "brought you out of the iron furnace".

Hagar had trouble. She was pregnant with Abram's baby and as a result had been mistreated by Sarai. The way she was mistreated must have been so bad that Hagar fled from Sarai. But there was something, it seems, that Hagar had not counted on. The LORD was watching. He knew all she had been through, all she was going through, and he also knew the best way to solve her problems. So the LORD appeared to Hagar and he told her what she needed to know.

Hagar learned a very important lesson from her encounter with God. She learnt that he is the God who sees, the God who hears and the God who knows. Ishmael was named as a result of this lesson. His name means, "God hears," or "God sees."

There are times in our lives when we also have trouble. Like Hagar, we may have a relationship that completely breaks down; we may feel like running away, or leaving our marriage or our church because of the difficulties we have. But like Hagar, we have to remember that God sees and hears, and when our trials get too much for us, he will intervene because he will not try us beyond what we are able to bear.

Running away will not solve anything - it will only delay or stunt the development of our characters. Instead, let us give our problems to God and trust him to solve them. After all, he is "The Living One who sees me."

ch 15 - Abraham refused the spoil of the war -Gen 14:21-24 - but is concerned that he has no child. His focus is not on material wealth but on the promises of God given in Gen 12:2-3 and Gen 13:14-17. This faith is rewarded with the wonderful promise of this Chapter

16:16 So we have a clear time marker. Abraham was 75 when he left Haran (Gen 12:5). He is now 86 when Ishmael was born - 11 years after he left Haran.

Genesis 16:12 - "He will be a wild man." so the word is: rude, and bold and fearing no man; untamed, intractable, living at large, and impatient of service and restraint. His hand will be against every man - That is his sin, and every man's hand against him - That is his punishment. Note, Those that have turbulent spirits have commonly troublesome lives: they that are provoking, and injurious to others, must expect to be repaid in their own coin. 'To run away, to run wild;' hence the wild ass, from its fleetness and its untamable nature. What is said of the wild ass, Job 39:5-8, affords the very best description that can be given of the Ishmaelites, (the Bedouins and wandering Arabs), the descendants of Ishmael: "Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the brayer? Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing." Nothing can be more descriptive of the wandering, lawless, freebooting life of the ancient Arabs than this.

It is further said, "His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him" - Many potentates among the Abyssinians, Persians, Egyptians, and Turks, have endeavoured to subjugate the wandering or wild Arabs; but, though they have had temporary triumphs, they have been ultimately unsuccessful. Sesostris, Cyrus, Pompey, and Trajan, all endeavoured to conquer Arabia, but in vain. From the beginning to the present day they have maintained their independence, and God preserves them as a lasting monument of his providential care, and an incontestable argument of the truth of Divine Revelation. Had the Pentateuch no other argument to evince its Divine origin, the account of Ishmael and the prophecy concerning his descendants, collated with their history and manner of life during a period of nearly four thousand years, would be sufficient. Indeed the argument is so absolutely demonstrative, that the man who would attempt its refutation, in the sight of reason and common sense would stand convicted of the most ridiculous presumption and folly.

If the 400 yrs starts from the birth of Isaac, then we arrive at 430 years. It has been suggested
that the 400 yrs should start from the time Hagar and Ishmael were forced to leave Abraham,Gen 21:9-14, so although we don't know exactly how old Ishmael was then, the answer comes
out to very near the 400 yrs we have been working towards

The date of the Exodus 1492BC (the commonly accepted date) is also not too far out!

15:13-16 Here we have details about the time Israel would be in Egypt (but note not for 400 years) even before Abram has children!

16:5 So Sarai’s plan blew up in her face. However she was not willing to live with the consequences of her actions. How often do we make hasty plans without thinking of the implications and then find we do not like the outcome? Maybe Abram (16:6) should not have left the decision as to what to do to Sarai. Maybe he should have given counsel. Likewise, brethren, we should not leave our wives to deal with issues of their making just because the decisions that follow are hard.

15:9 cf. Lev 1 Contained in this covenant is a forth telling of:
-Animal sacrifice under the Law of Moses
-Bondage of the Israelites in the land of Egypt (15:13 cf. Exo 1:8-14). Note, that the 400 years began with Ishmael’s mockery and persecution of Isaac. Therefore, Israel was in Egypt just over 200 years.
-Emergence of the Israelites from Egypt with great substance (15:14 cf. Exo 12:33-36).

In God's demonstration of His covenant to Abraham, the animals (which can be found later under the Law) were divided, except for the two birds which lay whole, each placed on opposite sides of the division (v.10). The animals, once divided, could not be put back together. This signalled that the covenant could not be broken.
A flaming torch was then passed between the divided animals.
This represented God as a consuming fire (Deut 4:24) ratifying the covenant (Psa 119:106).

Gen 15:13 The LORD told Abram that his seed would be strangers in a land that was not their land. The word stranger is also translated alien and sojourner. Peter uses similar language when he wrote to the believers in the first century. 1 Pet 2:9-11 The same applies to us today as the adopted seed of Abraham. We are all strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land. (without rights of citizenship) Paul tells us that we are no more strangers or foreigners, but we are citizens with the saints and the household of God. Eph 2:19

16:15 - Ishmael = 'God hears'. Our human sympathies go out to Abraham - surely we would have behaved the same way in the same circumstances, and would have believed that indeed this was the promised son. But this was human thinking. God kept him and nurtured him until he dropped his own efforts and accepted the miracle God would work. He will do the same for us if we seek Him. Faith requires a complete denial of self.

Things were not going well for Hagar. Pregnancy, for many women, is enough of a trial, without having to cope with being mistreated by an employer. Hagar had to try and cope with both, being pregnant with Abram's son and badly mistreated by Sarai, but she ended up running away because the pressure against he felt too great.

It must have felt that the whole world was against her when all the support she so badly needed dried up and turned to hostility. With no-one left to turn to, she fled into the wilderness alone. We can almost imagine her bitter thoughts, her feelings of loneliness, her utter despair. Then in the wilderness, all alone, she was met by an angel of the LORD whose message gave her new hope and strength to face the months to come.

It is Hagar's summary of this situation that presents us with a lesson for our lives. 'She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who see me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."' (Gen 16:13) She learnt that we are never alone. Though we cannot always see him, God can always see us. He is there for us in our darkest times as a comforter and encourager. He is the Living God who is there for us when we think that everyone else has deserted us.

Let's never give up but remember that the LORD is our strength no matter what may come our way.

15:6 Whilst Abraham is counted righteous by faith he is not the first man describes as righteous – we have, for example Noah Gen 7:1. Of course the basis for Noah’s righteousness was the same as for Abraham – he believed what God had told him.

16:2 ‘obtain children of her’ – ‘obtain’ is the same word as ‘made’ in Gen 2:22

Pregnancy is not always an easy time. The body goes through rapid changes often leaving a woman feeling tired, sick, sometimes with back or leg pain and perhaps a little irritable. When Hagar was pregnant with Ishmael, we don't know how she coped with her pregnancy, but on top of any feelings of stress she might have felt, she was ill treated by Sarai.

Pregnancy is not the only time we can feel stressed, ill or victimised. Sometimes within our own workplaces, churches, or even families, the same sort of issues can occur leaving us feeling a lot like Hagar, no matter whether we are male or female.

Hagar's response to her problems was to run away. I have known many other people who have reacted in the same way. When things have not gone as they would have liked, they have either quit their job, changed their church, or divorced their partner and left their family. All these things happen with the hope that in a different environment the problems will go away. But like a pregnant woman, most of the problems follow us and do not go away.

Hagar was given the answer that we also need to keep in mind when things trouble us. She was told, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." (Gen 16:9) Problems do not go away when we run away. We must turn and face them and deal with them before we move on.

Whatever we might think, God is watching over us and we will become stronger people for our struggles.

15:4As Abraham’s son was to be ‘out of thy own bowels’ he could not actually be the Messiah – the seed of thewoman. So when Abraham offered Isaac it could only be a ‘figure’. Maybe Abraham understood this.

15:9 The animals shown here represented sin offerings under the Mosaic law which would come into effect later. The animals ranged from the most valuable to the least. Everyone could present a sacrifice according to one's means. All of these animals foreshadowed Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for sin. The heifer, she goat, and ram were three years old. Three is the number of complete years of Jesus' earthly mission; and also the number of days He lay in the grave.

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
2. Isaac, Abraham's son has a son called Jacob Gen 16Gen 21:3Gen 25:19-28
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past
6. 12 tribes of Israel descended from the 12 sons of Israel. They remained in Egypt until the 400 years expired. Gen 15:13Gen 47:27-31Exo 1
Go to Gen 12:1-5 for more about First Principles>Kingdom of God>Existed in the past

16:11-12God allowed Abraham and Sarah to fulfil their own plans for the promise to be fulfilled. However their plans were to prove disastrous. Ishmael was to be a ‘wild man’. How often do we try to rush God’s purpose only to find that what we have done brings us problems.

There is a very wide discrepancy regarding the number of stars visible to the naked eye (about 3000 from any one place under ideal conditions to perhaps double that amount if we consider those visible from all points on earth) and grains of sand on the seashore. Many years later, with the advent of the telescope and time exposure photography, science was able to more accurately comprehend that there are countless numbers of stars just as the Bible states - Gen 15:5;Gen 22:17;Jer 33:22;Heb 11:12.

15:2 Having shunned the material wealth offered to him we now see Abraham’s real desire. He has received promises that he will be a great nation. He has no child and so in asking the question in this verse is showing that his heart was set on the fulfilment of the promises that God had made to him. What is our focus?

Reading the first few verses of chapter 15 it is clear Abram needs some reassurance about God's promises. We all need reassurance sometimes don't we? The important thing is that he did believe God (Gen 15:6). The problem for Abram was that he had been promised the land, yet it was currently too big for him to take possession of it. He had just fought with several inhabitants of the land and prevailed, but he had only been able to do this with the aid of his allies, the Amorites (see 14:13,24). Having allies was all well and good, but he could see a time ahead where he would come into conflict with them too. Hence his question "how do I know I will inherit it?", in other words "If I'm to inherit the land, something needs to happen to displace my Amorite allies. I can't fight them because I'm friends with them and I need them". God answers this by giving Abraham a vision (15:7-16) where He addresses his concerns about his Amorite allies.

Note the small, but significant detail of 15:1 Gen 15:1. It is the word of Yahweh which comes to Abraham. The word is acting on His behalf. We may be talking of an angel named, in this case "the word of the LORD". Or alternatively, this could be a reference to the same kind of personification that is picked up by Paul in Galatians Gal 3:8. Here it is "the scripture" ("graphe"/"writings") which foresees and preaches. Furthermore it seems that "the scripture" is interacting not only with Abraham, but also with God Himself. This indicates to us that God's word is in a very real sense, something living and moving amongst men. Indeed it is the very means by which God's children are sanctified, John 17:17.

In calling Abraham a "prophet" Gen 20:7 (see Michael's comments 2007), God seems to have been making him an advocate/mediator as is the case with Job and Moses. On another level we know that he had promises made to him by Yahweh Gen 12:1-3,13:16,15:7, Gen 17:5-6, Gen 18:18, Gen 22:17-18 and also had his name changed on the strength of these. So it would seem that Abraham had embedded within his name (change), the principle of prophecy. To this extent he was a living witness to God's promises and the means by which salvation would come to the Gentiles. Clearly he was a "prophet" in a much wider sense than we might at first think.

15:7 The use of ‘The Lord’ here shows that Abraham knew the name of God is Yahweh. HoweverExo 6:3 seems to indicate that Abraham did not know the name ‘Yahweh’. The fact is Abraham knew the name but at this point in his life he did not understand the meaning of the name in relation to the purpose of God.

Gen 15:16– God told Abraham that his descendant would leave the land where they were to be afflicted, in the fourth generation. During the lifetime of the fourth generation of the children of Israel, they would be called out of the place of their affliction. God called them out of Egypt. The genealogy in Exo 6:16-26 shows us how this was fulfilled. The first generation who entered Egypt included Levi (Exo 6:16). The second generation was Kohath, a son of Levi, who grew up in Egypt (verse 16). The third generation was Amram a son of Kohath, (Exo 6:18). Moses, a son of Amram was of the fourth generation and was to lead God’s people out of Egypt, (Exo 6:20).

God told Abraham that He would care for his seed by protecting them from the developing iniquities of the Amorites. Israel were to stay in Egypt until the time was right for God judgements to fall on the Amorites. Abraham had witnessed God’s judgements that the Amorites had already suffered at the hands of King Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:1-7). God’s judgements were to fall again on the Amorites when Israel approached the promised land (Numbers 21:25 and again under Joshua when they entered the land (Josh 3:10). In the same way God cares for us, because all things work together for those that love God (Rom 8:28)

Gen 15:13 - God told Abraham that his seed would be strangers in a land that was not theirs and they would be afflicted for 400 years. I suggest they were actually in Egypt for 225 years. The time is measured from when Jacob entered the land (Gen 47:9) to the departure of his children under the leadership of Moses (Exo 12:40-41).

The chart below attempts to harmonise the 430 and 400 year time periods. Reconciling these time periods leads to the conclusion that Israel would have been in Egypt for 225 years.

Exodus 12:40 tells us that 430 years was the period of, “the sojourning of the children of Israel”. That must be the time from Abraham’s seed, i.e. Isaac onwards. Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians that the 430 year period started with “the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ…”. God established a covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:9-18). The period ended with the giving of “the law (on Sinai) which was 430 years after...” (Gal 3:17).

Acts 7:6-7 informs us that Abraham’s seed would “sojourn in a strange land and that they should bring them into bondage...” for 400 years. Therefore the 400 year prophetic period finished when Israel left Egypt.

The Chart

The column which totals 430 years is constructed with scripture time periods between the covenant being made with Abraham (Genesis 15) and the Exodus from Egypt. The only apparent gap in the Scriptural data for this prophetic period is the time period between the death of Joseph and the birth of Moses. This figure (74yrs.) is derived in order to make up the balance to total 430 years, from the covenant made with Abraham (Gen.15) to the Exodus. It is interesting that during this period we read (Exo 1:8) that, “there arose a new king over Egypt which new not Joseph.”.

This period of 74 years can now be used in the next column to construct the timetable of events for the 400 year period. Starting with Israel’s departure from Egypt and working backwards in time, we come to 105 years between the death of Abraham and the death of Isaac. This leaves us with a 60 year balance necessary to make up the 400 year time period. This calculation suggests that when Abraham was (i.e.175-60) 115 years old his son Isaac must have been 15 years of age. This shows that the 400 year period started with the offering of Isaac.

The final column simply totals up the time periods from Jacob’s entry to Egypt to the time when God released them from bondage. - i.e. 225 years!

Age

References

Abraham offering till Sinai (yrs)

Isaac offered, till Sinai (yrs)

Israel in Egypt

(yrs)

Abraham

75

85

86

100

Gen. 12:4

Gen. 15; 16:3

Gal. 3:17

Ishmael born (Gen. 16:16)

Isaac born (Gen. 21:5)

1

14

Isaac

15

Offered, Gen. 22

60*

Abraham dies

175

Gen. 25:7, (Isaac 75)

75

Isaac dies

180

Gen. 35:28 (Jacob 120)

105

105

Jacob

130

Went into Egypt (Gen. 47:9)

10

10

Jacob dies

147

Gen. 47:28, (Joseph 56)

17

17

17

Joseph dies

110

Gen. 50:26

54

54

54

Moses born

Exod. 2:2

74*

74

74

Israel left Egypt led by Moses

Exod. 12:40-41; Gal. 3:17 (Moses 80)

80

80

80

Total Years

430 yrs

400 yrs

225 yrs in Egypt

Note:- Years added are marked * to make up totals of 430 years and 400 years.

Conclusions:- This suggests that Israel must have been under Egyptian bondage for 225 years (see Exod.2:23-25). Therefore, there would be 74 years between the end of Genesis 50 and Exodus 1 (see Exod.1:6-8). This would make Isaac 15 years of age when offered (see Gen 22:5).

16:8 The angel knew exactly what had happened to Hagar. However Hagar had to present her needs before anything could be done for her. Likewise the same is true of us. God can only help when we acknowledge our needs to Him.

What is the significance of "the flaming torch (R.V.) passing between the pieces" of the sacrifices that Abraham offered?

Quite likely this "flaming torch" was a manifestation of the glory of God, revealed elsewhere as the pillar of fire (see Exo 14:24, etc.). The cutting open of animals, after which some object or person passed between the pieces, was a normal way of signifying a covenant. Here the glory of God passed between the parts, showing that it was a one-sided covenant. God was doing the giving and Abram the receiving (although later on Abram did have a part to do when circumcision was instituted - Gen 17:10).

In a different type of covenant - a two-sided one - where a person walks between the pieces of the slain animal, the point would appear to be that he is saying, "may my destiny be the same as this animal if I do not live up to the terms of this covenant." Jer. 34:18-20 demonstrates this idea -

"The men who have violated my (God's) covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then and then walked between its pieces. The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf, I will hand over to their enemies who seek their lives. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth."

“In the same day the LORD (Yahweh) made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
All of us at some time have heard bits and pieces - snippits and snappits - about the Arab-Israeli conflict. This conflict has been brewing for over 4000 years and became a Muslim-Jewish conflict with the advent of Islam in the 6thCentury A.D. Not only is it a political matter, but also a spiritual matter, which will not be resolved till Messiah returns.
No debate has caused more anger and conflict in the Middle East as to the question of who rightfully owns the land of Canaan. Both nations are descendents of Abraham who had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. The Palestinians charge Israel guilty of stealing the Arab ownership of the land and hold them responsible for their displacement, arguing that it has always been the tradition that the oldest son (Ishmael), not the youngest son (Isaac), inherit ownership of the land. This problem was further enhanced due to wars started and lost by the surrounding Arab nations, and Israel seized lands originally given to them by the United Nations.
In a war, one must accept the fact that the enemy may win and lands may be lost. In 1967 Israel seized control of the Sinai from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel offered to return their land if they made peace with them. Egypt accepted and regained the Sinai; Syria refused and never regained the Golan Heights. Like any nation, Israel had the right to defend itself, but unlike any nation, Israel was prepared to return the spoils of war!
What a clever political ploy followed, which we have come to know as the “Peace Process”! This enabled the Palestinians to get back much of the land through negotiations referred to as “land for peace.” This not only had the effect of weakening Israel, but gave time for the Arab/Muslim forces to gain the necessary military strength to fight against them. Having given them their much coveted West Bank, the Biblical Judea and Samaria, Israel’s enemies now had the upper hand. Being so close, it would not give Israel enough of an advantage point to effectively respond to their attacks. The Arabs believe they are now strong enough to destroy Israel and Israel’s combatants on both the Northern and Southern borders seem ready to find out. This was the effect of the world’s “Peace Process” negotiations!
Yahweh made an unconditionalland covenant with their father, Abraham, and this covenant had no expiry date on it. It was an everlasting covenant (Gen 17:7-8). This land covenant, however, was not transferred to Ishmael, but to Abraham’s younger son, Isaac (Gen 26:1-5), and to his son Jacob (Israel) and his descendents (Gen 28:3-4; 35:12-13; 48:3-4). It was a covenant given by Yahweh to all their succeeding generations as they were ready to move into the land of Canaan after wandering 40 years in the wilderness (Deut 29:1,12-15).
It is not hard to conclude from Holy Writ that Israel has rightful ownership of the land, irrespective of world’s lack of credence of the Bible, irrespective of Yahweh's marital relationship with Israel (Jer 3:20; Hos 2:2), and irrespective of their dispersal from the land in 70 A.D. by the Romans. Their land deed did not come with limitations, nor did it require un-interrupted occupation of the land. This covenant cannot and will not be broken (Psa 89:34-37).
Yahweh revealed to the prophet Ezekiel of a great battle involving a coalition of nations who will align themselves against Israel (Eze 38-39). This battle would take place in the latter days after the Jewish people were gathered back into their homeland (1948). Eze 36 speaks to the “mountains of Israel,” an area which corresponds today to the West Bank, a very mountainous region, as any topographic map will show. The West Bank was under the control of Jordan, but captured by Israel in the 1967 war, and up until then there was no clamoring for a Palestinian State.
Today, the establishing of a Palestinian State is a huge issue, which engenders a lot of hatred throughout the world against the Jews. What the world fails to see is that this land deed was written down and handed down to all posterity in the Bible pre-dating the Qur’an. In it, it gives the boundaries and jurisdictions for the land and states unequivocally that this land belongs to Israel.

16:7 On a number of times n scripture we read of angels intervening in the lives of individuals. Such events are presented in a matter of fact way. The way that they occur indicates to us that God is interested in the lives of individuals. The way in which the record speaks so naturally of the events indicates that it is no surprise that God is interested in individuals.

Gen 16:4 - it seems the initial despising perhaps came from Hagar not Sarai; perhaps Hagar in a way felt superior having born Abram a child yet was resentful she remained a servant; Gen 16:12 perhaps the apple didn't fall too far from the tree in that Ishmael was somewhat "difficult" as well.

16:2 Abram did exactly as Adam did – Gen 3:17 – clearly the record is expecting us to see the connection. This is the first of a number of events in the lives of the patriarchs where they go down the same unwise path a number of time. Not learning for their own of their forefather’s experience. Clearly, rather that criticising them we should realise that God is recording their systematic failures as lesson for us who, in like manner, do not learn from our experiences easily.

16:11 'You shall call his name Ishmael". It is interesting to note that this is the very first time a man is names before he is born. There are 6 others, Isaac, Solomon, Josiah, Cyrus, John the Baptist and Jesus, but Ishmael the son of Hagar is first.

Also if we look at the promised made to Hagar here about her son, and later in Gen. 17:20 by God to Abraham, we can see that God gives a similar though not the exact same promise to the seed of Abraham through Ishmael.

So, even though the main promise passed through Sarah's son, Hagar's son was not left without a birthright.

Reading 2: Psalm 18

v2. - the word horn in the phrase 'the horn of my salvation' is the Hebrew qeren. This word combines a number of shades of meaning in the Hebrew - there is a sense of loftiness (It is translated 'hill' in Isa.5:1) - and the root word qaran means to shine and send out rays. Surely here we have more than just an allusion to Jesus who is 'the Captain of our Salvation' Heb.2:10

v.8,9 - How much similarity of language there is here with our discussion above about the vision of Abraham. The fire and the darkness both feature. It seems that these great men who had occasional direct contact with God suffered very similar, and very frightening, experiences.

The title of this Psalm is found in 2 Samuel 22:1. Two points follow.
1 The psalm titles are inspired
2 This Psalm was written by David at the end of his life. Its position in 2 Samuel 22 places it in its historical context.

Psa 18:25 - "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful" - Christ will deal with men as they deal with each other. This is the general tenor of God’s providential conduct towards mankind; well expressed in this universal prayer: -

"Teach me to feel another’s woe;
To hide the fault I see:

The mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me."

It is in reference to this that our Lord teaches us to pray - "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." If we act feelingly and mercifully towards our fellow creatures, God will act tenderly and compassionately towards us as we saw 3 days ago in Matt 7:1-2. The merciful, the upright, and the pure, will ever have the God of mercy, uprightness, and purity, to defend and support them.

Psalm 18: There are overtones that could indicate that this Psalm is a Messianic Psalm, which it could be. We would however suggest that it is a prayer of thanksgiving written during a high point of David's reign. It is a prayer recognizing God's guidance throughout his life. The Psalm is quoted twice in the New Testament.v.2 in Heb 2:13 and v.49 in Rom 15:9.

v.4-6 - David suffered depressions and devastating situations which make our own lives major problems seem insignificant. David saw his way through these things by calling upon the Lord. Herein is the lesson. Let us heed it. Psa 50:15,130:1,2

This Psalm is also in 2Sam 22. It was written when he realised that God had indeed delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies. His comment in Psa 18:22 starts with therefore. This gives us a great exhortation. Because God has blessed us, and in David's case delivered us from our enemies, therefore we will give thanks to Him.

18:20In speaking of God rewarding him ‘according to my righteousness’ David is echoing the situation he speaks of in Psa 7 when speaking of the words of Shimei. He is not seeing himself as righteous but rather that his motives were always sound and that God would recognise that for what it was.

18:4 Whilst David had been delivered – see title – he had been in the state of fearing for his life, for example when fleeing from Saul 1Sam 27:1 but by the end of his life he recognised God’s care – so when Jesus spoke similarly – Mark 14:34– he would have been able to think about David’s experience.

18:2When David speaks of God as being ‘the horn of my salvation’ at the end of his life he is seeing the ongoing care that his God has for him – but is also prophesying the coming of Christ – Luke 1:69

18:17-18 We may think of David as a mighty warrior however he recognises that his enemies were ‘too strong’ for him. So even though David was a mighty warrior he recognised that deliverance came from God. How often do we think that we can overcome some problem by our own strength?

18:6 David speaks in the past tense. This is consistent with the title of the Psalm. It was written after the events and reflects upon the way in which God had worked in David’s life up to this time. So we are reminded that he prayed when he was in difficulty. So should we. Afterwards we will be able to look back and see the way that God has worked in our lives.

18:24 As this Psalm was penned at the end of David’s life – see the title – we might wonder how he can appeal to the “cleanness of [his] hands” given the fact that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. The answer is that God forgave him - 2Sam 12:13 – so God no longer counts the sin. We should think likewise. When God has forgiven then it is as if the actions is completely forgotten by God, even though the consequences of the sin might continue to affect the life of the forgiven sinner.

Psa 18:4,5,6,16 - this would seem to have application to both David and Christ and (particularly in the NIV) has similarities to Jonah (an echo of Christ) covered over by water in the belly of sheol (Jon 2:1-7) with God hearing in His temple.

Psa 18:19 - (NIV) "He brought me out into a 'spacious place' <4800>;" perhaps has application to Christ being freed of the tomb and later rising to a spacious heaven.

Psa 18:23 - (NIV) "I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin." - this would seem to have a messianic application.

Psa 18:37-48 - could apply to David's victory over the nations through God, and in a prophetic sense, Christ's future victory over the nations.

18:25 David could voice this wonderful principle at the end of his life. He had both shown mercy - 2Sam 9:1,3,7 – and received God’s mercy when he was forgiven for committing adultery with Bathsheba – 2Sam 12:13

Everything referred to in this Psalm happened to David in 1Sam 29 - 31 and 2Sam 1 - 2, yet it also happened for Jesus at his death and resurrection. The Psalms are both prophetic (interpreting the future) and explain the mind of the writer at the time. This is one of the ways that the Bible distinguishes itself far above any other writing. We'll take just one example and show how it applies to both Jesus and to David. See the numbers to check how each detail compares to the Psalm.

The Psalm

"The sorrows of death compassed me[1], and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid[2]. The sorrows of hell compassed me about[1]: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God[3]"

"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death (1): tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed (3)... Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners (2)"Matt 26:38,39,45.

David

"Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep (1).And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him (1+2), because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (3)"1Sam 30:4,6

18:19 In what way did God “delight” in David? David wrote this Psalm at the end of his life – see 2Sam 22 where we see the Psalm in its historical context. By this time David had committed sins and shown bad judgement at times. God delighted in David, despite his shortcomings because David placed his trust in God despite his failings. This should encourage us when we fail. Despite our shortcomings He should be our confidence.

18:49 David expresses his plan. That he would sing praises amongst the gentiles. Paul – Rom 5:9– quotes this verse to speak of gentiles praising God. though the Psalm seems to say that it is David, not the gentiles, who will praise God. So clearly the Psalmist is anticipating gentiles responding to the offer of salvation in Christ. Clear prophecy of the work of Jesus’ preaching.

Psa 18 Like Psalm 16 it is repeated eleswhere with slight differences, perhaps to empahise the importance of the words here and 2Sam 22.I remember a TV comedy show in the 80's that had a catchphrase "listen very carefully I will say this only once". Our heavenly father knowing our frame knows that repeating words is the best way of remembering an important lesson, the psalms remember were to be sung in the temple service. Lets not forget the lessons that the psalms teach us.

Psa 18:2 the Buckler. Was a small shield worn on the arm or hand, upon first appearance it looks quite useless in fact it was againts arrows, but for close combat it was very effective it could block sword strikes, be used to hit and opponent and to "blind" the other hand containing a sword from the opponent. When the opponent thrust his sword the defended could "play a blinder" (where the saying play a blinder comes from) by using the buckler to counter attack. The buckler was not only for protection but as a weapon.

The word of God is seen as usless by the world, but to us is very effective in not only in defending us but in counter attacking, (by giving the right answer). Yahweh provides us with all we need to defend ourselves and keep us safe.

Our longest and most heart-felt prayers are often when we are in distress and when we long for divine intervention to change our circumstances. It's at those times we really focus on God and on our relationship with him.

Times of distress were certainly the times when David called on God too. Many of his psalms recorded his prayers as he fled from Saul, from Absalom, from the Philistines, when he was sick, when he had sinned, and when he felt surrounded by evil men.

But there comes a time when individual moments of trouble are over. Then what? What do our prayers sound like at those times? Are they as heartfelt as they were when we were in trouble?

Psalm 18 is a psalm written to give thanks when David was delivered from his enemies. The title says,"He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul." (Psalm 18 title).

Let us also offer celebratory prayers to God when he delivers us from our distress.

Reading 3: Matthew 10

Whilst recognising that ultimately salvation was to be for the Gentiles, this next 3 years or so, it would seem, was to be a last ditch attempt to restore the Jews to their true faith. (v.5,6). Perhaps this goes some way to explain the lack of understanding the disciples seemed to possess on this issue later on. In connection with 'the lost sheep of the House of Israel' look at Matt.15:24-26, Luke 24:47, Acts 3:25,26.

Matthew
10:4
- "Simon the Canaanite" from Grk. 'Cananaean.'The word has nothing to do with Canaan. In Luke
6:15; Acts 1:13, the same apostle is called Zelotes. Both terms indicate
his connection with the Galilean Zealot party, a sect which stood for the recovery
of Jewish freedom and the maintenance of distinctive Jewish institutions. From
the Hebrew kanná, 'zealous;' compare the Chaldee kanán,
by which this sect was denoted.

Matthew
10:4
- "Judas Iscariot" - More than likely so called
"Iscariot" from Iscarioth, (the place of his birth,)
a town of the tribe of Ephraim, near the city of Samaria. This Judas was
the only Apostle of the original twelve not to be Galilean. Judas was
very astute, probably having good business connections, hence the reason
why Jesus entrusted him with the communal funds. I shall show later that
Judas was [probably]brother to Lazarus, Mary and Martha and shared their
house with them in Bethany.

Matthew
10:33 - "Shall deny me" - Literally
saying "no" to Christ, a complete breach. "I will deny before
my Father" - This is a solemn law, not a mere social breach,
this cleavage by Christ of the man who repudiates him, public and final.

10:1 The commission to the 12 to go and heal must be seen as the culmination of this section in Matthew’s gospel. Jesus has performed 10 miracles and now the disciples are commanded to go and do likewise.

:13 - This seems a strange turn of phrase '... but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you' and yet the same idea is found in two other passages:

Psa 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

2Cor 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

By this we see that we can but preach and wait and see if God gives the increase. If He does not, then our preaching returns to us - suggesting that we still benefit, even if the person we speak to does not listen.

During the Christmas holiday just past, Christendom has celebrated the birth of Jesus. The sentiment of Peace on earth and goodwill towards all men has been proclaimed on behalf of the Christ-child. Christ, speaking for himself, says that he did not come to bring peace (presently) (Matt 10:34-36). Throughout history, individuals, families, and states have been in conflict in the name of Christ. Nations have fought wars, and millions have died, all in His Name. And so where is the peace? Many have become cynical scoffing at this misguided Christmas sentiment, and have denied the existence of God (Psa 14:1). Global peace will only occur when the Lord Jesus returns to earth from heaven to establish the Kingdom (Isa 9:6,7). Those in Christendom will never experience that peace as they believe in the myth of heaven going at death rather than the reality the Kingdom of God on earth. True believers in Christ, however, have the assurance of Christ's peace, even now, as they contend with a tumultuous world and wait for His return (John 14:27).

v.1,2 - It seems that by the investing of the spirit in them, these 12 disciples, as they are described in verse 1, become 12 apostles in verse 2. It changed them from followers to messengers, as it were. This included Judas. It is interesting to recognise that Judas also was given the power of the spirit to heal all manner of sickness and disease. One wonders how this affected his conscience - or maybe at this point Judas had no idea that he would later be tempted to betray Jesus?

V.6 The direction given the disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, was also followed by the apostles, In Acts 1:8, Christ gave a similar directive. First Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Paul, as we read the accounts of his travels, we see that he always went into the synagogue first, then to the Gentiles. Acts 17:1 ;17

Salvation is a marathon race of enduring till the end Matt 10:22; 1Cor 9:24-27. To be saved we seek, believe what God says in His word, be baptised, have faith, have works, have endurance and then hope for ultimate salvation when Christ returns.

There’s one of the best passages I know in this chapter to persuade us to preach. Matt 10:32,33 says that if we tell people about Jesus, He will speak to God about us. And the negative follows in the next verse. We MUST preach.

V.22 There is great comfort in the assurance, that "he that endures until the end will be saved" We have the assurance that those who are Christ's, are heirs of the promises made to Abraham. Go back to our reading in Genesis.

Matthew in the last few verses of yesterday's reading provides us with the setting of the charge and discourse of today's reading. In the opening verse he tells of the summoning of the disciples, and the power extended to them. Then (2-4) the roll of the twelve. Finally (5-42) the actual charge is recorded.

v3 Matthew is the only one who's occupation is given in this list of the apostles names - in his own gospel.

In his instructions, as he sends them out to preach, Jesus goes far beyond the immediate situation, to talk about arrests, betrayal, trials. So this is a prophecy as well.

v37 Relatively how much greater our love for the Lord should be, than our love for our families - so much greater, that our love for our families is termed "hate" Luke 14:26 Family members may turn against each other, but Jesus will never deny us unless we deny him first. v32-35

10:5Jesus command that the disciples should not go into the Samaritan cities is echoed in his own comment in Matt 15:24 where he makes the point clearly that he is sent to the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’. This does not mean that he had no concern forSamaritans, rather Israel were his first priority. When they failed to take heed he expanded his preaching.

V28 - the word for "soul" twice used in this verse is the Greek word "psuche" (5590) which has been rendered life, soul, mind, etc. The first point is the soul can be utterly destroyed and therefore is mortal. The second point is the verse perhaps refers to not worrying about losing our bodies in this life but fear those who can lead you astray and take away your eternal life - Matt 10:37-39;16:24-27;25:31-34.

Vs.1-4 The apostles were given spiritual power. This was before the Holy Spirit was manifest at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Judas Iscariot was a recipient of this divine power. Could Judas have been forgiven over the betrayal of Jesus? It is a moot point since he chose to commit suicide rather than to seek forgiveness. Of course, it is folly to second guess the Lord. However, since Judas had been recipient of the Holy Spirit would not the Word condemn him (Heb 6:4-6)?

V.28 There is nothing mysterious in this verse. Simply put, man can kill the body, but only Yahweh has power over the life-force (soul = breath) which animates the body. Thus, He can re-animate the body (bring back to life) at will. In this we both fear and hope. We fear the power and majesty of Yahweh and hope in our revival at the last day (Psa 34:9; 2Cor 4:14).

V.37 Jesus is to take precedent over our natural families. By extension, brethren of Christ must take precedence over our natural families.

10:4 Here and in Mark 3:19we come across Judas Iscariot early in the ministry of Jesus but he is introduced as the one who betrayed Jesus. Whilst clearly the gospel narratives were written after the event the mention of Judas’ behaviour is not simply an afterthought but rather a hint of his ongoing deceit for it was he who took money out of the bag as an ongoing thing throughout the ministry John 12:6

The depth of Jesus' words to his twelve disciples is staggering, when we look at the scripture he quotes to them. We'll take just one example from v30:

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered"

Jesus is referring to Psalm 40 (among other passages) where David says:

"innumerable evils have surrounded me ... They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me."

On the face of it this is not very encouraging! But, reading the rest of the Psalm shows how perfectly the context fits the situation the disciples were to face. The consolation from the Psalm, in a nutshell, is that God's thoughts about us are as innumerable as the hairs on our head (Psa 40:5) and although we might find ourselves in a time of need, He is constantly thinking about us and ready to help and deliver us (Psa 40:17).

"I am poor and needy, yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and deliverer!"

10:19 Jesus will remind the disciples again – Luke 12:11 – to be confident that God will give them answers. Against the background of the severe persecution they received they must have benefited from the repetition of this encouragement.

10:1 This is the third time that “sickness and disease” is spoken of in Matthew’s gospel. The other two are 44:23 and 9:35. The repetition of this point is designed to remind those who heard and read the message to see another aspect of Jesus fulfilling the promises of Scripture.

10:1 When speaking of “unclean spirits” the record is not making a concession to the wrong understanding of the people – that they actually believed that there were such things as unclean spirits. Rather the way the holy spirit records the events invites us to appreciate that Jesus is the one spoken of in Zech 13:2 who will rid the land of evil spirits.